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Beach #3 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Shangri-la Beach

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, and one of the fastest growing cities in the world according to the 2006 Guinness World Records. Once a sleepy fishing village, Playa del Carmen has become an exciting tourist destination for people from all over the world.

Playa, as it is known among its residents is characterized for its varied neighborhoods, each of them with unique characteristics and beaches where people go and chill after a long day at work.

Shangri-la Beach: General Information

Shangri-la is one of our favorite areas in Playa del Carmen, once a private property is one of the few places where you can still find the original trees on the sides of the road. There is a huge ceiba, maybe one of the oldest in Playa del Carmen in a private property between 5th Avenue and the beach.

Little by little the area has developed with condos and hotels residing by the jungle but the natural beauty and quietness remain. There is also a natural cenote on the road where the Piola Restaurant is located.

Shangri-la Beach: Getting There

Getting to Shangri-la from 5th avenue is quite easy, look for 38th Street and turn to the east. It is easy to know you are on 38th street, because there is a colorful mosaic fountain/sculpture in the middle of the road.

From the highway look for the exit for 34th street and take the road eastbound, once you get to 10th avenue turn left until 38th street. There are no parking lots, so park on one of the side streets and walk to the beach.

Shangri-la Beach: Things To Do

Shangri-la is the ideal beach to enjoy the scenery and relax, it is not as crowded as other areas in Playa del Carmen so it is also ideal to practice yoga, meditate or enjoy a massage on the beach.

The beach has white sand and turquoise blue water, and as with most of the beaches in Playa del Carmen the water is calm without big waves. Making it an ideal place for children or to practice snorkeling, paddle boarding or kayaking.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars on Calle 38th in case you get hungry or thirsty, but you can also bring your own food and beverages. As with most of the beaches in the area there are no public restrooms, parking lots or convenience shops so plan accordingly.

Shangri-la Beach: Recommendations

If you decide to bring your own food and beverages, be sure to bring some plastic bags to carry your trash with you when you leave.

Make sure to use biodegradable suntan lotion and insect repellent and reapply frequently, this way you can protect the reef from chemicals and yourself from sunburns and mosquito.

Look for a cenote, as there are many of these beauties all over downtown Playa.

We hope you enjoy your visit to the beautiful Shangri-la beach. Keep up to date with the best beaches in paradise by following our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya countdown every Friday! If you are in search for the perfect beach to spend the day at, make sure you check out our options. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!

If you loved the Shangri-la neighborhood and are interested in purchasing a vacation home or retirement home Shangri-la has several real estate options from beachfront luxury condos to beautiful homes, please feel free to contact any of our Top Mexico Buyers’ Representatives! Browse our beautiful properties; we are sure you will find your dream home.